[dba-Tech] Create System Image using Clonezilla

Jim Lawrence accessd at shaw.ca
Sat Sep 26 10:56:53 CDT 2009


That sounds excellent Max. I have never used Clonezilla before but now you
have saved me the trouble. My only question would be; If the boot drive
fails will the restored drive boot? In otherwards, does it restore the boot
sectors?

Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Max Wanadoo
Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 5:37 AM
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
Subject: [dba-Tech] Create System Image using Clonezilla

Hi, I pass this info on for anybody who is thinking about creating a system
image.

I have just had to rebuild my HP Pavilion and then installed all the
software etc,  followed by all the updates, etc.  Took absolutely hours and
hours.

I then  wanted to take a snapshot image of my Drive C: so that if it happens
again, I can just restore the image.

The software I used was Clonezilla which is FREE opensource software.

It took about 4 hours to copy 582 Gb disk with 124 Gb used.  The image
created on my USB Seagate 1.5Tb HD was 82 Gb.  I believe Clonezilla only
copies sectors physically used.

Warning: there is no lovely GUI interface. You create a CD  from an image
and then change you bios setting to ensure you boot from the CD.

At various times it will ask you for information, in particular which drive
you want backing up and which drive you are backing up to.  Make sure you
GET THIS right and read the screen slowly and carefully.

I haven't got the patience to spend another 4 hours to test the restore, but
to do so, you boot from the CD again and then select the option to Restore
instead of Create image.

It was painless and appeared to have gone through without a hitch.  My
system is a 64bit OS running Windows Vista Home Premium and the Clonezilla
was the 32bit program.  Don't be frightened about the use of exe with the
words linux in the  title, it works just fine on windows.

It also creates a text file with the parameters to run it again - don't know
where it put it though!!  Hope I can find it, because then I can rerun this
from a batch file overnight at regular intervals.

Next job it to make sure everything loads and runs ok and then to install
the VirtualBox stuff.

Max


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